Packing case



H. L. ZIMMERMAN. PACKING CASE. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 26, I920.

Patented Oct. 24, 1922.

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PACKING CASE. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 26. I920.

Patented 0t.241,1922.

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PACKING CASE. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 26, 1920.

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Patented Get. 24, 1922.

eat at critics HENRY L. ZlIMMERMAN, OF DAVENPORT, IOWA.

PACKING CASE.

Application filed February 26, 1920. Serial No. 361,608.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY L. Z1MMER- MAN, a citizen of the United States, resid' ing at Davenport, in the county of Scott and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Packing Cases and I to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to The present invention relates to improvements in packing cases, and has for an object to provide an improved case for use more particularly in the transportation and storage of such articles as dry-goods, silks, shoes, candy, furs, etc., and other articles that from their nature or value are subject to damage from fire or moisture.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved packing case that will be proof against the inroads of rats or mice, and will also form an effective barrier to the theft of the "goods transported therein.

A further object of the present invention residesin providing an improved packing case that will be collapsible, so that the same may be knocked down into relatively small compass, thereby permitting its return to the point of shipment and its re-use. The fact that the case is collapsible enables large numbers of the cases to be packed within a space very small in comparison to that required were the cases not capable of collapse.

With these and further objects in View as will in part hereinafter become apparent and in part be stated, the invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations and, arrangements of parts as subsequently specified and claimed.

In tie accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an improved packing case constructed in accordance with the present invention and shown in the set up condition.

Figure 2 is a similar view Showing the collapsed condition of the case.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 33 in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-41 of Figure 2. Y

' Figure 5 is a fragmentary, perspective view showing the case partially collapsed.

do hereby declare the following I Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the Inlet-6 of Figure 2.

F igure 7 is a horizontal sectional view through a slightly modified form of case in which two compartments are provided.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view through a case of narrow depth as compared with its length and having a bottom made up of two sections and foldable upon itself.

F1gure-9 1s a fragmentary sectional view of a wooden case.

Figure 10 is a similar view of a different portion of the case.

Figure 11 is also a fragmentary sectional view showing a means for locking the bottom.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary plan view with parts shown in section of the same.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional View showing a modified form of hinge, and

Figure 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of the same. Referring more particularly to the drawmgs, and for the present to Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, the improved packing case is here illustrated as manufactured from sheet metal and providing a container substantially in the form of a cube. The body of the container is composed of front and rear walls 1 and 2 respectively, which are adapted to move toward and from each other while always remaining in parallel relation. The front and back 1 and 2 are connected together by folding sides, consisting of sec tions 3, 4 and 5, 6. The sections 3 and 4e are hinged together centrally, as indicated at 7, so as to permit the central hinge portion thereof to move within the body of the case substantially in the manner indicated in Figure 5. In like .manner, the sections 5 andG of the opposite side are hinged together by a pintle 8 passing through the over-turned eyes 9 at the inner ends of the sections; so that these two sections 5 and 6 are in like manner adapted to fold within the case and between the front 1 and back 2. The front wall 1 of the case has its vertical side edges bent over rearwardly, as indicated at 10, and 11, the same being scalloped androlled over to provide spaced-apart eyes 12 in which to receive a hinge pintle 13 passing vertically downward through the alining eyes 12 and through similar intermeshing eyes 14 rolled over from the adjacent edge of the sections 8 and 5.

In like manner, the rear wall 2 has its vertical edges 15 and16 bent at right angles to the plane of the rear Wall 2 and extending forwardly substantially in planes with the edges 10 and 11 respectively of the" front wall 1. Hinge joints 17 and 18 are formed respectively between the side sections 4:" and 6 and the bent over edges 15 and 16-of the rear wall 2, so that hinge joints are provided at bothlends of eachofthe sides and also at substantially the I central portions thereof, whereby to allow such sides toeX- ecute the movement indicated in Figure 5. In Figure 6, the complete collapse of the case is shown, where the sections 8, at and5, ,6 are moved together and as a consequence have drawn the front and rear walls 1 andQ into close relation.

At 19 is represented the bottom of the case also made of sheet metal and havingits rear edge hinged as indicated atiZO to. the lower forwardly turned edge of the rear wall 2. it its front edge the bottom 19 'is provided with a downwardly-turned bead 21engaging in a clip 22 formed by bending the loweredge of the front wall 1v forwardly and upwardly so that the upper free extremity forms a stop on which the forward portion of the bottom 19 rests, while the bead21 extends down into the socket formedv between the extremity 22 and the lower portion of the front wall 1. The weight of the goods resting on thebottom 19 will effectually hold the head 21 in the clip 22; although it is preferable that a tight frictional fit between these two parts will also serve to prevent the accidental raising or rattling of the bottom 19. The bottom 19 is continuous from one lateral edge to the other and serves to engage the lower edges of the collapsible sides so as to hold them spaced apart and in their distended condition when the case-is setup and; in use as a packing case. When the case is tobe collapsed, the bottom 19 may befolded about the hinge joint 20', in which case it will lie close to the rear wall 2.

The top of the case is indicated at 23, and

is also made from sheet material provided with the flanges 24 extending down on all four sides of the case, andpreferably being,

beaded. as shown at 25, for purposes of strength and to receive lrnoersand jars in cident to transportation. The rear flange 2.4 of the top QE-lextends a considerable distance below the upper edge of the rear wall 2. and a loose hinge joint is made between these edges. This joint is preferably made by scalloping and rolling the upper edge of the rear wall 2, as indicated at 26. and similarly rolling and scalloping the lower edge of the top flange 24: as indicated at These edges receive hinge pintles, which also go through the opposite longitudinal scalloped and rolled edges of a hinge plate 28. As shown in Figures 1 and 5, a pair of clips 29 are carried by the side sections 5 and 6 near their upper ends in position to receive the head on the side flange "24 of the top 23, in order that this head may serve to hold the side sections 5 and 6 against collapse near their upper ends.

Other clips 30 are also carried by the side sections 5 and 6, near their upper ends, to engage over the beads 25 of the flanges of the top 23, the upper free ends of the clips 30 being turned down in the form of claws to bind over the beads 25 for the purpose of preventing the accidental raising or rattling of the-top 23.. These clips or claws 30 are also preferably provided on the front of the case, as shown in Figure 1, and may be supplied in any suitable number at desirable points.

A hasp 81 is carried by the top- 23 and is adapted to engage over a staple or eye 32 carried by the front wall 1. A padlock 33 may be employed to secure the hasp 81 over the staple and 'thus prevent unwarranted tampering with the case in transit.

as shown in Figure 2, the rear wall '2 may be also provided with a staple 34- adapted to receive the hasp 31 in order tolock the case in its collapsed condition to prevent'the unauthorized setting up of the same and the introduction of spurious goods.

The case as above describedin" its set up condition is shown in Figure 1, and provides a commodiouspacking case for the receipt of perishable articles or articles apt to be destroyed by fire ormoisture or the depredationsof rodents. The top 23 is raised about the hinge joint to allow access to the interior of the case for the purpose of introducing or removing articles -therefrom.

When the case, laden with articles of'inerchandise, arrives at its destination, the padlock 33 is unlocked by an authorized person possessed of thii-keythereto, which permits the top 23 to be thrown over and the contents removed. The case is thereupon collapsed and returned to the point of shipment for the receipt of further goods, and in this waythe case may be susceptibleof recurrent use. This collapse of the case is effected by'first pushing the-bottom 19 in so as to disengage the head 21 from the clip 22, and moving such bottom 19 about the hinge joint 20 close against the rear 'wall 2. The sides 3, i and 6 are then pushed inward, as indicated in Figure 5, drawingthe front wallv 1 toward the rear wall 2'. The front and rear walls together with the bottom and the side walls" ,thus collapsedmay be folded about the hinge.

plate 28 so as to bring all of these parts within the protection of the flanges of the top 23. The hasp31 is thenengaged over the staple 34 andthe' padlock 33put" in place. In this collapsed condition,the case is returned to the shipper and its use willbe prevented by unauthorized persons. This .ure '7, the case is made in all substantial respects identical with that previously de scribed with the exception that a partition is placed within the case so as to divide the same into front wall 1 and the to receive the edges of the partition therebetween. The partition is slidable between the angle irons 36, which form guides for the same so that the partltion may be removed when the case is to. be collapsed and may be placed between the front and rear walls 1 and 2. In th'iscase, the bottom ismade 3111 two sections 37 and 38 adapted to collapse upwardly against the rear wall 2 at opposite sides of the angle irons 36.

9f course, other partitions maybe provided in the case, or. they may be arranged in a different manner. I

Referring to Figure 8, the bottom, instead of being formed in one continuous sheet, is made up of two sections 39 and d0, which are hinged together as indicated at 11. The construction of the several parts is otherwise as previously described. A bottom of this character is useful especially where the length of the case is. greater in comparison with its height, so that the bottom may be folded over upon itself at the 5 liinge point ll. thus causing the sections and 10 to collapse against each other.

In Figure 9, 1 have illustrated a construction in which the container instead of being of sheet metal, is made of wood. At is indicated the front wooden-wall and at 4.3 is represented the rear wooden wall. The bottom also of wood, is represented at 4A, and is provided with a leaf 4:5 screwed or otherwise secured thereto, as indicated :46. A similar leaf 17 is secured, as by screws 48. to the lower edge of the rear wall 43. Between the leaves 15 and 417 is arranged a hinge joint 49 for permitting the bottom -14 to collapse upwardly against the front face of the rear wall The front wall 42 at its inner lower edge carries a metal clip 50 to receive the metallic downwardly-turned bead 51 carried by a plate 52 secured, as by screws 53, to the wooden bottom 44- near its outer free edge.

In Figure 10 is shown the collapsible sides of the wooden box'composed of adjacent sections 54; and 55 united by a metal hinge 56 along the outside thereof. These sections 54 and 55 collapse inwardly in the same manner as the metal sides, but it is necessary to cutaway or bevel the adjatwo compartments. is shown, the partition 35 extendsbetwecn the rear wall 2, these walls beinglitted with angle irons 36 spaced apart &

cent ends 5? and 58 of the various sections and the parts to which they are hinged to permit of this collapsible movement. The wooden. parts 60 correspond to the outturned edge 16 of the metal rear wall shown in Figures 5 and 7.

A similar construction is at the other end. but as this is believed clear no further ex; nation is offered. V

In Figure 11 the bottom 19 isshown as provided with an eccentric 61 adapted to rotate about a pivot 62 and having a hand piece for its convenient movement. A slot is made in the front wall 1 of the packing case near its lower end to receive the nose of the eccentric Gland a beveled upper edge 64 is preferably made at the top 0 the opening 64 in order to guide the ecc ntric downwardly and to urge the bead 2 forcibly into the clip 22. A metal strap 66 is secured over the outer face of the front wall 1 so as to obscure the opening 6 1 and the eccentric 61 and to prevent tampering therewith. In Figure 12, the dotted line position indicates that the eccentric may be swung to disengage its nose from the opening 6% when the bottom 19 is to be raised and collapsed. Referring more particularlyto Figures 13 and 141-, a modified form of rear hinge joint is shown which consists ofa strap 67 formed in a closed loop adapted to receive the reenforcing wire 68 which passes through the head 69 on the flange of the top 23. The flange and top are cut away as indicated at 70 to receive the looped strap (57. Fig ure 13 shows the collapsed condition of the parts where the reenforcing wire 68 resides in the upper end of the loop, while Figure 14 shows the top in place for closing the packing case when the same is set up, and here the reenforcing wire 68 has been moved to the bottom portion of the loop 67. The

loop 67 is soldered or otherwise secured to the rear wall of the case.

What is claimed is 1. An improved packing case comprising front and rear walls, side walls composed each of a pair of sections hingedly joined together and having their opposite ends respectively hinged to said front and rear walls and collapsible inwardly between such front and rear walls, a bottom hinged to the lower portion of the rear wall being foldable upwardly against such rear wall and within the side walls, said bottom adapted to engage the lower edge portions of the side sections to hold such sections extended -when the bottom is in the lowered position,

a flange top for the case having a bead extending thereabout, a plate hinged to said bead and to the upper portion of the rear wall, guide clips carried by the sections of the side walls exteriorly thereof and acting to engage the head of the flange top to preveiit iigtv'ardiriovement of the's'ectioris'; said eli'p's'he'liig located echacent the hinge eonne'otlons between the SGCtlOl'lS of the sndes' i H A -1 v i v and means to secure the top 1n closed positioii.

2, A peeking ease eo'i hpiisiIigrigid front arid rear Walls, collapsible side Waite secured to the front and rear walls and adapted to fold inwardly thereof, abottom hinged to oiieof the rigid Walls and having a down turned free edge portion, the other rigid Wall having an inwardly turned-up socket portion to engage saiddown turned edge the bottom, a fiangetop for the case having a bead extending about the marginal por- 

